WHAT IS KARMA? HOW DOES ITS CIRCLE WORK?

7 min readMay 1, 2021

Karma simply means action, deed, or work. Karma or Karm is a Sanskrit word that is mentioned in many ancient books or studies such as “Srimad Bhagavad Geeta”. Karma literally means: Kar means Do, Kar is an order or command word which means Do it or Do. The word “Ma” exclusively means “creation of universe”. Hence, Karma means to do something that makes a change in the creation of universe.

Every single Karma whether it is Small or Big makes a difference in the Universe. Every Karma or action has a definite reaction. The small Karma that we do in our life such as Yoga asana, Pranayama, Exercise, Cleaning of our home or our body, etc. are recognized as “Kriyas” in the yogic concept.

The word Kriya and Karma is explained all over the internet as the same meaning but it is not same. Most of the blogs follow Wikipedia but Wikipedia, later on, changed what says before. The major difference between Karma and Kriya is that Kriya gives results instantly or in some days or months. Suppose you practice Shatkriya (yogic cleansing techniques) such as Jal Neti. So the results of Jal Neti come in some days or months. But if you donate money to someone as good karma, no one knows when the results will come back.

11 MAJOR RULES [LAW] OF KARMA

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON KARMA

How do I get rid of bad karma in my life? [asked by: Giovanna Imprezzabile]
What is Bad Karma and Good Karma? [asked by: Giovanna Imprezzabile]
How much intense are the results of Good Karma and Bad Karma? [asked by: Rutuja Nakate]
How to understand the difference between good Karma and bad karma? [asked by: Naynika Tarika]

KARMA IS THE BEGINNING OF CREATION

There is no creation without the Karmic Circle. Whatever happened, is happening, or will happen has a meaning based on Karma. The Karma we did in our past or previous life is stored and ready to come at on right time. Whatever happening without any effort is set by the rules of nature. Whatever else the human is doing, he follows the rules of Karma. Human is his own creator of Karma. He can choose to do right or wrong Karma. But the results are not in human’s hands.

The lord Krishna in Srimad Bhagvada Geeta expailed about Karma:
कर्मण्येवाधिकारस्ते मा फलेषु कदाचन ।
मा कर्मफलहेतुर्भुर्मा ते संगोऽस्त्वकर्मणि ॥ Chapter 2, Verse 47

Karmanye Vadhikaraste Ma Phaleshu Kada Chana,
Ma Karma Phala Hetur Bhurma te Sangostva Akarmani. (2.47)

Meaning: You have a right to perform your Karma, but you are not the decider or entitled to the results of action. Never consider yourself to be the cause of the results, and never be attached to not doing your Karma.

KARMA MAKES DESTINY

Karma makes destiny, this truth is mentioned in many books as well as explained by many Gurus and monks. Destiny is the storage of Karma or the results of Karma. Destiny is something that is decided by how you perform Karma. Bad action or Karma make bad destiny and good deeds or karma make good destiny. In the above image, I show you a circle of the moon every month. yes, indeed, destiny is like that, someday it will show you the bright moon means the good days, and other times it may show you dark moon means painful days. So a yogi should not react to the bad or good. He should be calm and peaceful in all situations.

The lord Krishna in Srimad Bhagvada Geeta expailed about Yogi’s behavior:
यो न हृष्यति न द्वेष्टि न शोचति न काङ् क्षति |
शुभाशुभपरित्यागी भक्तिमान्य: स मे प्रिय: ॥ Chapter 12, Verse 17

Yo na hrishyati na dveshti na shochati na kankshati,
Shubhashubha-parityagi bhaktiman yah sa me priyah. (12.17)

Meaning: Those who neither rejoices in pleasures nor despair in worldly sorrows, who neither sad for any loss nor wish or greed for any gain, who renounce and become happy in both good and evil deeds, such persons who are full of devotion are very dear to Me.

KARMA CAN NOT BE SKIPPED

The Karma is a responsibility for every human. No one can skip the Karma. Sometimes we may be sad due to no results in life, but nature gives us motivation again to do Karma and we continue. Disappointments with results can not permanently stop the doer. Even if a human is not doing anything productive or creative, the Karmic Circle will keep going and wasting of time will motivate again him to do Karma. A human who plants a mango tree at the age of 80, he is well known that he will not be available in future to eat the mangoes but he does it for the children or grandchildren ahead.

The lord Krishna in Srimad Bhagvada Geeta expailed about Karma:
न हि कश्चित्क्षणमपि जातु तिष्ठत्यकर्मकृत्‌ ।
कार्यते ह्यवशः कर्म सर्वः प्रकृतिजैर्गुणैः ॥ Chapter 03, Verse 05

Na hi kasichiatksanamapi jatu tisthatyakarmakrt,
Karyate hyavasah karma sarvah prakrtijairgunaih. (03.05)

Meaning: The human can not be free from doing Karma because the nature and Gunas (quality) give the compulsion and pressure to do Karma.

KARMA HAS A DEFINITE RESULT

The Karma gives definitely a result but the time is not on our hands. We can do only Karma but can not decide the time of results. Doing Karma is like throwing a stone that will definitely fall somewhere because of nature’s rule. Once you already throw that stone, you can only wait for results.

KARMA IS THE WAY TO MOKSHA

The Karma is also a way to liberty. The liberty from the circle of life and death is called “Moksha”. Once a human finished all pending karma and started all the Karma with devotion like he is doing for God, this way, he reached the door of Moksha.

KARMA IS WAY OF PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE

The practical knowledge can not come from books or watching TV or Phone. It can come by only doing the Karma practically. Every time a human wins or fails, he definitely gets some practical knowledge from that Karma.

KARMA IS APPLIED TO ALL EQUALLY

From a poor human to a rich person, the Karma is applied to all equally. Karma mechanism is a balanced system which apply to all in a balanced way.God does not make any difference while giving the results for Karma. If sometimes you feel any difference, it’s because of intentions.

KARMA GIVES RESULTS BASED ON SITUATIONS

God always seeks the best time to give results. It is always a new door that opens when you see all others close. God does not give results when you want, he gives when you need. Needing is more important than wanting something.

KARMA CAN BE AFFECTED BY THE MIND

The mind plays important role in Karma because when the intention comes from the soul, the humans get motivated to do Karma but the mind makes it good or bad based on past memories or experience.

KARMA CAN BE BOOSTED BY LOVE, DEVOTION, MEDITATION AND CREATIVITY

In Gita, Lord Krishna mentioned that if someone does Karma for God that will always give better results. This simply means that you have to pack your karma with love, kindness, devotion and do it like you are doing everything for God. Your karma should be logged with Devotion from your pure heart. Doing Meditation for better focus and concentration and being in the present moment and doing the Karma with creativity also helps to achieve higher goals and better results.

GOD CAN NOT INTERFERE ON KARMA

God does not need to interfere in Karma. God is like an observer of our mind, body, and soul. God does not react when someone does bad or good karma but if someone has devotion for God, some indications come in life that can inspire and guide to do good.

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